Tehran (IP) - The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Abdolnaser Hemmati says the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should respond to Tehran's request for emergency resources to deal with the coronavirus, without being influenced by political lobbying or US pressure.

Iran Press/Iran news: Speaking at a video conference of the Central Bank of MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) on Wednesday, Hemmati added: “But illegal US sanctions prevent Iran from gaining access to its resources abroad.”

Hemmati stressed that Iran, like other members of the International Monetary Fund, has the right to use the IMF's emergency resources provided to fight the coronavirus.

The governor of the Central Bank of Iran stated that in the first days of the coronavirus outbreak, Tehran had requested emergency funding from the Fund, noting that this process had taken a long time without any definite results.

His remarks came as the US pressure on the IMF has hampered Iran’s request for a $5-billion loan which the country needs to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

Referring to the US opposition to Iran's request, Hemmati said: "This is clearly contrary to the spirit and goals of an international organization."

International Monetary Fund is expected to respond promptly to Iran's legal request for emergency resources, without discrimination and without being influenced by political lobbying or pressure from other countries, including the United States, Hemmati added.

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